RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers, has called for TransLink to make good on its commitment to release timetable data to Google, a commitment which is more than a year overdue [1].

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"In the so-called 'smart state', Brisbane commuters can't use Google map functions to plan a journey using public transport, despite this service being provided free of charge and available in more than 500 cities around the world."

"It may come as a surprise to residents of the South East, but Queensland already has many examples of Google Transit – for major regional centres such as Cairns, Townsville, and Toowoomba. Even Maleny has it! The difference? These areas are serviced by qconnect, under the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR)."

"Furthermore, TransLink should release this data to the general public and third-party tools such as Mapnificent [2], in the form of a General Transit Feed Specification (GTFS)[3]. The GTFS format is also what Google requires, so it’s not hard to do both!"

GTFS 'feeds' allow public transit agencies to publish their transit data so that developers can write applications that consume that data in an inter-operable way.The GTFS specification can provide schedules and geographic information to Google Maps and other Google applications that show transit information. Complete coverage is available at www.google.com/transit.

"It is time TransLink followed TMR's lead and made the data available."

The 'smart state' reference refers to a community expectation of a level of technical sophistication to which the community itself aspires. It is shorthand for what can be achieved, or should be achieved. Much is made of the low-hanging fruit advances that can be made versus more costly outcomes that the community may desire, but would be hard-press to implement. From time to time, and no doubt to show empathy with community aspiration, politicians or political parties catch on to phrases that tap the community sentiment. 'Can-do' is hardly a phrase solely the province of the LNP, for example. In this case, here is something that can be achieved easily, and with little effort, therefore it is 'smart' to make it happen.

“New ideas pass through three periods: 1) OMG! It CAN'T be done. 2) It probably can be done, BUT it’s not worth doing. 3) I KNEW it was a good idea all along!” — Sir Arthur C. ClarkePosts are my independent commuter view- not RailBOT's or other party.

Maybe they are working on this and releasing it in one big whammy "GTFS-realtime is a feed specification that allows public transportation agencies to provide ... Updates, a feature within Google Maps that provides users with realtime transit information."

John Fraser

Perhaps if the train used by the Moderator & spokesperson had a number plate with "Smart State" he would have known that it was definately party political.

Looking for where "RBOT" has praised the Bligh government for the upgraded infrastructure at Ferny Grove, in the same way that they have praised the LNP for an election promise from the former Lord Mayor who threw $773 million into the Clem7 tunnel that will never take heavy or light rail.

Perhaps if the train used by the Moderator & spokesperson had a number plate with "Smart State" he would have known that it was definately party political.

Looking for where "RBOT" has praised the Bligh government for the upgraded infrastructure at Ferny Grove, in the same way that they have praised the LNP for an election promise from the former Lord Mayor who threw $773 million into the Clem7 tunnel that will never take heavy or light rail.

This is not a newspaper blog John. Balance is needed, continuing trolling will see you removed.

You have been advised in other posts to read all the media releases. Just because you are a recent forum member doesn't excuse your ignorance or biases. The LNP have actually come out with a decent transport policy re Ferny Grove. One worthy of praise. The LNP equivocation re Cross River Rail we have savaged, as other silly policy.

The thing is John, increasing train frequency has been an ongoing battle for six years now. Just because the LNP suggest a good policy doesn't make it bad.